[citation needed] Lhendup Dorji was born to Gongzim Raja Sonam Topgay Dorji and Princess Rani Chuni Wangmo of Sikkim on October 6, 1935 at Bhutan House, Kalimpong, India.
Dorji returned to Bhutan from the United States and his first assignment was to measure the length and breadth of the country; He spent months traveling around Bhutan calculating the terrain by hand using the most readily available measuring systems.
An avid sports man Dorji was the first Bhutanese to win various golf and tennis tournaments in Nepal and in India.
[4] He is referenced by Shirley MacLaine in her book, "Don't Fall Off the Mountain", which documents a visit she made to Bhutan during which she met him.
Dorji's nephew, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, went on to become the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan.